Chelsea could sign Boateng as Van Dijk alternative

Chelsea could turn their hunt for a new central defender to the German Bundesliga as times of uncertainty at Southampton could throw a move for Virgil van Dijk into doubt.

Van Dijk has impressed for Southampton since arriving from Celtic and as a result has attracted interest from the Premier League's top clubs. Southampton have expressed that they are in a stable condition and are under no obligation to sell their defender, and if they did, he would cost a minimum of £50 million.

In addition to this, manager Claude Puel has found his managerial position under threat recently, with fans and board members unimpressed with recent performances. Until his future is secured or a new manager is appointed, it is unlikely that van Dijk will be sold.

This has lead Chelsea to consider alternative options, including Bayern Munich man Jerome Boateng. The German international has found his future at the club unclear after the Bundesliga champions signed another defender in the form of Niklas Sule. Although he insists he is satisfied at the club, Boateng admitted that he is not entirely happy at being left out of the team recently.

Jerome Boateng may also fancy his chances of another attempt of Premier League football, after his spell at Manchester City failed to see him become an established part of the team, before moving on to Bayern Munich.